WIX Archives

Re: Chiran Kamikaze Memorial Museum Ki-61

Posted by Dan K on Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:35:31 PM

In reply top Chiran Kamikaze Memorial Museum Ki-61 posted by Chris Martin on Wed Apr 02, 2003 09:21:17 PM

Hi Chris,

I'll refer to the Feb. 2000 Flypast and an article by good friend (and occasional WIX poster) Ron Werneth:

"The (Peace) museum also has a Kawasaki Ki-61-II Hien on show, which it is believed, was displayed with an American 'stars-and-bars' paint scheme at Yokota air base, near Tokyo, for several years after the war. The aircraft was then shipped to the US, where it was given a Japanese-style paint scheme with red hinomaru and red kana symbol for 'thunder' applied to the fin.
In 1953, the US returned this Tony to Japan as a goodwill gesture -- it was given a more thorough restoration and put on display in Hibiya Park. It has now been restored in the colourful markings of the 244th Sentai..."

Hope this slakes your thirst for information.

Best wishes,
Dan

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